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We Care is a research project exploring how cervical screening can be delivered in ways that are compassionate, sensitive, and responsive to the diverse needs of women. Drawing on international research across Wales, England, Sweden, and Australia, the project brings together lived experience, practitioner insight, and system-level perspectives to understand what supports women to feel safe and respected, and what can also be a barrier to accessing cervical screening care.

What does the evidence say?

A substantial body of academic evidence shows that cervical screening participation is shaped not only by awareness and access, but by how care is experienced. Women with histories of sexual violence and abuse report higher levels of fear, pain anticipation, loss of control, and avoidance of screening. Studies also highlight the impact of communication style, practitioner sensitivity, continuity of care, appointment flexibility, and opportunities for choice. Sensitive approaches, longer appointments, clear explanations, and explicit consent practices are associated with improved comfort and trust. This evidence matters because lower screening uptake is linked to later cancer diagnosis and poorer outcomes. Improving the quality and compassion of cervical screening care is therefore not only an ethical and relational issue, but a public health priority that can strengthen access, equity, and prevention. Cervical cancer is preventable and can be equitably eliminated across diverse communities.

Why This Project Matters

Women who have experienced sexual violence and abuse often describe cervical screening as physically and emotionally challenging. Standardised appointment structures, limited choice, time pressures, and communication styles can unintentionally undermine feelings of safety and dignity.

At the same time, health systems are under increasing pressure to demonstrate impact, value, and sustainability. Improving care must therefore be compassionate, person-centred and evidence informed. The We Care project brings these priorities together and explores:

• What does compassionate cervical screening care look like in practice?
• What helps women feel safe and respected when accessing intimate screening care?
• What enablers and barriers exist within current systems?
• How can services be redesigned to respond more effectively through a compassionate care approach?

An International, Multi-Workstream Study

The project draws on research across Wales, England, Sweden, and Australia. It combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, alongside co-production with women and practitioners.

The study includes:

• Exploration of HPV self-sampling acceptability among women with lived experience
• In-depth interviews and focus groups with women across four countries
• Practitioner interviews examining system enablers and barriers
• Co-production workshops to develop a draft compassionate care model and practitioner toolkit.

Building a Compassionate Care Model

At the centre of the project is the development of a compassionate care model for cervical screening. Through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and co-production workshops, women with lived experience of sexual violence and abuse and practitioners are working together to identify practical improvements across the cervical screening timeline.

This research is not only about listening to these diverse experiences, but also about translating insight into measurable change. The project applies health and care economics approaches to assess impact and value, helping demonstrate how a compassionate model of care can potentially improve experiences while also supporting equitable and sustainable low-cost preventative screening care.

Get Involved

We welcome engagement from women with lived experience, practitioners, and policy leaders who are interested in strengthening cervical screening care.

Further information about participation, collaboration, and project updates can be found via the project website and the podcast series: /cheme/we-care-womens-empowerment-cervical-screening-access-recovery-and-empathy

Compassionate care has the potential to shape trust, access, and outcomes. Through research, partnership, and shared learning, We Care seeks to contribute to cervical screening services where every woman feels safe, respected, and heard.

If you have any questions, please contact the project lead on: Dr Ceryl Teleri Davies, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­: ceryl.davies@bangor.ac.uk